iOS 6 to arrive on September 19 with turn-by-turn navigation, Passbook

Siri gets a bit smarter, too.

It's official: the next major version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 6, will be released to the public on September 19. The update will be pushed as a delta update to supported iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches over the air, or it can be downloaded via iTunes on your Mac or PC. Supported devices include the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, fourth-generation iPod touch, iPad 2, and the third-generation iPad.

Apple wasted no time extolling the virtues of iOS at its event today, calling it “the latest version of the world's most advanced OS.”

Apple previewed most of iOS 6's headline features during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, so there aren't many new surprises as of yet. One of the most significant new features is a completely revamped Maps app with 3D mode, business listings, and turn-by-turn driving directions. iOS 6 also includes enhancements to Apple's virtual personal assistant, Siri, which now has the ability to tell you sports stats and scores, look up restaurant reviews, make posts directly to Twitter and Facebook, and launch apps from voice commands. Apple introduced a new app with iOS 6 called Passbook, which is meant to act as your virtual passport through your everyday life by collecting movie tickets, store loyalty cards, coupons, and more.

Demoing maps in iOS 6.

Ars Technica

But there are plenty of smaller new features added to iOS 6 as well. Mail will gain the "VIP" feature that debuted in Mountain Lion, allowing you to sort those messages into a special VIP inbox and receive alerts about messages from VIPs on your lock screen. Photo Stream, originally introduced with iOS 5 last year, will gain the ability to be shared with a group of friends.

And Apple has finally added a "Do Not Disturb" mode that allows the phone to continue to receive alerts, but without ringing, vibrating, or even lighting up the screen. Users can specify certain groups in their Contacts list who can ring through, or allow the setting to be overridden if someone calls twice within three minutes.

Apple trolled Packers fans during the iPhone launch event.

Nathan Mattise/Ars Technica

Developers have had access to iOS 6 since WWDC, so many App Store selections have already been updated to support the update.

Now that we know when iOS 6 will be in our grubby little hands, be sure to check out the Ars Technica review of iOS 6 when it is posted on September 19!